#Embedded firmware and software

[bermondseysblog]

Automotive Embedded Systems: A Bridge to Smart Mobility

In the rapidly evolving landscape of the automotive industry, Automotive Embedded Systems are pivotal in transitioning traditional vehicles into smart mobility solutions. Bermondsey Electronics Limited is at the forefront of this transformative era, integrating sophisticated embedded firmware and software to enhance vehicle intelligence and connectivity.

Embedded systems in automotive technology represent a core component where hardware and software seamlessly converge to perform specific, mission-critical functions. From advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) to infotainment and telematics, these systems are the backbone of modern vehicles. By ensuring high reliability and real-time performance, Embedded Firmware and Software development is a crucial area of focus for us at Bermondsey Electronics Limited.

The integration of Embedded Machine Learning is setting a new benchmark in the automotive sector. This innovative approach allows vehicles to learn from vast amounts of data generated during operation, leading to improved safety features, predictive maintenance, and a personalized user experience. Embedded ML not only enhances the vehicle's capabilities but also paves the way for autonomous driving technologies.

As we continue to develop and refine our embedded systems, our commitment at Bermondsey Electronics Limited remains firm: to deliver cutting-edge solutions that propel the automotive industry toward a future where smart mobility is not just a concept, but a reality. Join us on this journey as we bridge the gap between traditional automotive practices and the dynamic world of smart mobility through pioneering embedded systems.

[allie-leth]

My worker firmware works! It flashed itself over, now just to add some roll back, security, and validation features. But effectively this means I never have to plug in another ESP32 to send them firmware. I can just tell them to post to MQTT from the worker firmware for logging and post the firmware binary to my local file server. This makes my life so much easier while building out this mesh of meshes multi-protocol com lib. Hell yeahhh

[el-ffej]

IMO: Absolutely, positively spot-on. Been a software engineer from 1980 to 2016, and this just nails the tech industry economics (and phases) that I saw then, and that I see now.

Must-read. Brilliantly written and on target. Kudos and applause, OP.

If anyone wants to know why every tech company in the world right now is clamoring for AI like drowned rats scrabbling to board a ship, I decided to make a post to explain what's happening.

(Disclaimer to start: I'm a software engineer who's been employed full time since 2018. I am not a historian nor an overconfident Youtube essayist, so this post is my working knowledge of what I see around me and the logical bridges between pieces.)

Okay anyway. The explanation starts further back than what's going on now. I'm gonna start with the year 2000. The Dot Com Bubble just spectacularly burst. The model of "we get the users first, we learn how to profit off them later" went out in a no-money-having bang (remember this, it will be relevant later). A lot of money was lost. A lot of people ended up out of a job. A lot of startup companies went under. Investors left with a sour taste in their mouth and, in general, investment in the internet stayed pretty cooled for that decade. This was, in my opinion, very good for the internet as it was an era not suffocating under the grip of mega-corporation oligarchs and was, instead, filled with Club Penguin and I Can Haz Cheezburger websites.

Then around the 2010-2012 years, a few things happened. Interest rates got low, and then lower. Facebook got huge. The iPhone took off. And suddenly there was a huge new potential market of internet users and phone-havers, and the cheap money was available to start backing new tech startup companies trying to hop on this opportunity. Companies like Uber, Netflix, and Amazon either started in this time, or hit their ramp-up in these years by shifting focus to the internet and apps.

Now, every start-up tech company dreaming of being the next big thing has one thing in common: they need to start off by getting themselves massively in debt. Because before you can turn a profit you need to first spend money on employees and spend money on equipment and spend money on data centers and spend money on advertising and spend money on scale and and and

But also, everyone wants to be on the ship for The Next Big Thing that takes off to the moon.

So there is a mutual interest between new tech companies, and venture capitalists who are willing to invest $$$ into said new tech companies. Because if the venture capitalists can identify a prize pig and get in early, that money could come back to them 100-fold or 1,000-fold. In fact it hardly matters if they invest in 10 or 20 total bust projects along the way to find that unicorn.

But also, becoming profitable takes time. And that might mean being in debt for a long long time before that rocket ship takes off to make everyone onboard a gazzilionaire.

But luckily, for tech startup bros and venture capitalists, being in debt in the 2010's was cheap, and it only got cheaper between 2010 and 2020. If people could secure loans for ~3% or 4% annual interest, well then a $100,000 loan only really costs $3,000 of interest a year to keep afloat. And if inflation is higher than that or at least similar, you're still beating the system.

So from 2010 through early 2022, times were good for tech companies. Startups could take off with massive growth, showing massive potential for something, and venture capitalists would throw infinite money at them in the hopes of pegging just one winner who will take off. And supporting the struggling investments or the long-haulers remained pretty cheap to keep funding.

You hear constantly about "Such and such app has 10-bazillion users gained over the last 10 years and has never once been profitable", yet the thing keeps chugging along because the investors backing it aren't stressed about the immediate future, and are still banking on that "eventually" when it learns how to really monetize its users and turn that profit.

The pandemic in 2020 took a magnifying-glass-in-the-sun effect to this, as EVERYTHING was forcibly turned online which pumped a ton of money and workers into tech investment. Simultaneously, money got really REALLY cheap, bottoming out with historic lows for interest rates.

Then the tide changed with the massive inflation that struck late 2021. Because this all-gas no-brakes state of things was also contributing to off-the-rails inflation (along with your standard-fare greedflation and price gouging, given the extremely convenient excuses of pandemic hardships and supply chain issues). The federal reserve whipped out interest rate hikes to try to curb this huge inflation, which is like a fire extinguisher dousing and suffocating your really-cool, actively-on-fire party where everyone else is burning but you're in the pool. And then they did this more, and then more. And the financial climate followed suit. And suddenly money was not cheap anymore, and new loans became expensive, because loans that used to compound at 2% a year are now compounding at 7 or 8% which, in the language of compounding, is a HUGE difference. A $100,000 loan at a 2% interest rate, if not repaid a single cent in 10 years, accrues to $121,899. A $100,000 loan at an 8% interest rate, if not repaid a single cent in 10 years, more than doubles to $215,892.

Now it is scary and risky to throw money at "could eventually be profitable" tech companies. Now investors are watching companies burn through their current funding and, when the companies come back asking for more, investors are tightening their coin purses instead. The bill is coming due. The free money is drying up and companies are under compounding pressure to produce a profit for their waiting investors who are now done waiting.

You get enshittification. You get quality going down and price going up. You get "now that you're a captive audience here, we're forcing ads or we're forcing subscriptions on you." Don't get me wrong, the plan was ALWAYS to monetize the users. It's just that it's come earlier than expected, with way more feet-to-the-fire than these companies were expecting. ESPECIALLY with Wall Street as the other factor in funding (public) companies, where Wall Street exhibits roughly the same temperament as a baby screaming crying upset that it's soiled its own diaper (maybe that's too mean a comparison to babies), and now companies are being put through the wringer for anything LESS than infinite growth that Wall Street demands of them.

Internal to the tech industry, you get MASSIVE wide-spread layoffs. You get an industry that used to be easy to land multiple job offers shriveling up and leaving recent graduates in a desperately awful situation where no company is hiring and the market is flooded with laid-off workers trying to get back on their feet.

Because those coin-purse-clutching investors DO love virtue-signaling efforts from companies that say "See! We're not being frivolous with your money! We only spend on the essentials." And this is true even for MASSIVE, PROFITABLE companies, because those companies' value is based on the Rich Person Feeling Graph (their stock) rather than the literal profit money. A company making a genuine gazillion dollars a year still tears through layoffs and freezes hiring and removes the free batteries from the printer room (totally not speaking from experience, surely) because the investors LOVE when you cut costs and take away employee perks. The "beer on tap, ping pong table in the common area" era of tech is drying up. And we're still unionless.

Never mind that last part.

And then in early 2023, AI (more specifically, Chat-GPT which is OpenAI's Large Language Model creation) tears its way into the tech scene with a meteor's amount of momentum. Here's Microsoft's prize pig, which it invested heavily in and is galivanting around the pig-show with, to the desperate jealousy and rapture of every other tech company and investor wishing it had that pig. And for the first time since the interest rate hikes, investors have dollar signs in their eyes, both venture capital and Wall Street alike. They're willing to restart the hose of money (even with the new risk) because this feels big enough for them to take the risk.

Now all these companies, who were in varying stages of sweating as their bill came due, or wringing their hands as their stock prices tanked, see a single glorious gold-plated rocket up out of here, the likes of which haven't been seen since the free money days. It's their ticket to buy time, and buy investors, and say "see THIS is what will wring money forth, finally, we promise, just let us show you."

To be clear, AI is NOT profitable yet. It's a money-sink. Perhaps a money-black-hole. But everyone in the space is so wowed by it that there is a wide-spread and powerful conviction that it will become profitable and earn its keep. (Let's be real, half of that profit "potential" is the promise of automating away jobs of pesky employees who peskily cost money.) It's a tech-space industrial revolution that will automate away skilled jobs, and getting in on the ground floor is the absolute best thing you can do to get your pie slice's worth.

It's the thing that will win investors back. It's the thing that will get the investment money coming in again (or, get it second-hand if the company can be the PROVIDER of something needed for AI, which other companies with venture-back will pay handsomely for). It's the thing companies are terrified of missing out on, lest it leave them utterly irrelevant in a future where not having AI-integration is like not having a mobile phone app for your company or not having a website.

So I guess to reiterate on my earlier point:

Drowned rats. Swimming to the one ship in sight.

[gqattech]

Boost Device Performance with Professional Firmware Testing at GQAT Tech

What is Firmware Testing & Why It’s Crucial for Smart Devices

In today's connected world, everything you use from your smartwatch to your smart TV runs on firmware; firmware is low-level software that operates hardware. So what happens when the firmware does not perform as it should? Devices crash, user experience drops, and businesses suffer—this is why firmware testing has become such a significant component of the quality assurance (QA) process.

At GQAT Tech, we perform firmware testing with intelligence using a combination of real hardware environments and automation to verify that every device operates exactly as intended. In this article, we will explore firmware testing, why it matters, and how GQAT Tech empowers you to deliver bug-free, top-performing smart products.

What is Firmware?

Firmware is a class of software that is permanently burned into a hardware item to complete the basic function and potentially further functions of that hardware item.

You’ll find firmware in:

Smartphones

IoT devices

Printers

Wearables

Routers

Smart home appliances

Firmware is unlike software in that it is not intended for frequent updates. Because of that, if there is a bug or unsafe code in the firmware, it may impact the firmware's intent or may compromise the entire device.

What is Firmware Testing?

Firmware testing is the validation and verification to check that the firmware behaves correctly when interacting with hardware and the other components in the system.

The key areas of testing firmware will include:

Functionality – Does the firmware do what it is intended to do?

Stability – Does it crash?

Performance – Is it efficient? Is it quick?

Security –  Is it safe? Does it protect itself from unauthorized use or firmware-level attacks?

Testing firmware is more complicated than testing a software product due to the integration of hardware and software, so it's where GQAT Tech can provide its value here.

Why Firmware Testing is Important

Here’s why skipping firmware testing can lead to serious problems:

Device Failures – Bugs in firmware can crash your entire device.

Security Risks – Weak firmware can open doors to hackers.

Unstable Performance – Devices may freeze, restart, or act unexpectedly.

Poor User Experience – Customers won’t tolerate devices that don’t work properly.

Costly Product Recalls – Fixing bugs after launch can cost millions.

With firmware embedded in critical devices, testing before release is not optional—it’s necessary.

Why GQAT Tech? 

Full-Service QA Team: Specialists in firmware and embedded testing. 

Testing on Real Hardware: Hardware testing—not just simulators. 

Custom Test Plans: Plans tailored to the specifics of your hardware, product goals, and release schedule. 

Detailed Reporting: Bug reporting and test case coverage are clear and easy to understand. 

Time-to-Market Speed: Find and fix firmware bugs earlier in the development cycle. 

GQAT Tech will not only test your product, but it provide the assurance of reliability, scalability, and safety. 

Conclusion 

In a digital world, where the devices must "just work," firmware quality is critically important. Whether you're developing smart home, wearable, or industrial IoT devices, validating firmware will give you confidence that your product will deliver a zero-fail experience. 

💬 Are you ready to approach firmware testing with confidence?

👉 Explore Firmware Testing Services at GQAT Tech

[monarchinnovation]

Embedded Linux for Firmware Development

Explore how Monarch Innovation leverages Embedded Linux for advanced firmware development. From custom board support packages (BSPs) to real-time operating systems and device drivers, we deliver robust, scalable, and secure embedded solutions across industries. Enhance your embedded systems with expert Linux-based firmware development that ensures flexibility, reduced time-to-market, and seamless hardware integration.

[rhosigmaa]

Integrating RTOS in Firmware Development for IoT Devices

In the fast evolving world of connected technology, firmware development for IoT devices demands real-time performance, efficient task management, and robust system reliability. One of the most effective ways to meet these demands is through the integration of an RTOS (Real-Time Operating System). Using an RTOS in firmware development provides the necessary architecture to support multitasking, deterministic execution, and modular design all of which are essential in modern embedded systems.

Interested in building efficient, real-time firmware for your IoT device? A well architected RTOS implementation can significantly enhance the performance and reliability of your system.

Unlike traditional bare metal firmware where tasks are executed sequentially, RTOS-based firmware allows developers to divide functionality into prioritized threads or tasks. This is especially important in IoT applications, where the firmware must handle multiple simultaneous operations like sensor data collection, wireless communication, and actuator control. An RTOS ensures these tasks are executed on time and without interference, delivering the real-time performance required by smart devices and edge nodes.

The integration of RTOS into embedded firmware development also brings scalability and modularity, making it easier to add features or adapt to new hardware platforms. With built in task scheduling and resource management, RTOS platforms allow developers to write more maintainable code and avoid timing conflicts that often arise in complex systems. This approach improves overall system stability and reduces debugging time during the development cycle.

Some of the most widely used RTOS options in IoT firmware development include Free RTOS, known for its lightweight footprint and wide microcontroller support; Zephyr OS, which offers a comprehensive set of features for connected devices; and Thread X, commonly used in commercial and safety-critical applications. Each RTOS has its strengths, and the choice depends on application needs, processor architecture, and certification requirements.

To effectively implement RTOS in firmware development, engineers must identify the system’s real-time requirements and define tasks accordingly. Communication between tasks should be managed through mechanisms like semaphores, queues, or event flags to avoid race conditions and maintain data consistency. Moreover, memory management becomes a crucial factor, particularly in microcontroller-based systems where RAM and flash resources are limited.

RTOS based firmware is now at the core of many advanced IoT devices from smart wearables and industrial sensors to medical equipment and home automation systems. These devices require not just functional correctness, but also consistent and timely responses. The ability of RTOS to deliver predictable task execution and low-latency performance makes it a vital component in modern IoT firmware development.

Explore deeper into RTOS-based development techniques to future proof your embedded solutions. Staying aligned with real-time system design practices ensures long-term scalability and product success.

If your embedded application depends on responsiveness, uptime, and modular design, integrating RTOS in your firmware development process is not just a best practice, it’s a strategic move. Early architectural planning with RTOS in mind helps avoid costly redesigns later and ensures your product meets both technical and market expectations.

[smacsoftwares]

🚀 Power Your Devices with Cutting-Edge Embedded Software! 🌐

Our team at SMAC Software specializes in developing reliable and high-performance embedded software solutions, custom-designed to optimize functionality and enhance device efficiency across industries.

✅ Tailored Firmware & Software ✅ High Performance & Reliability ✅ Scalable Solutions ✅ Industry-Specific Expertise

Ready to bring your devices to life with seamless software integration? Let’s get started! 🔋💡

Read more at https://smacsoftwares.com/embedded-software-development/

[creativeera]

Embedded Computing Marled is Anticipated to Witness High Growth Owing to Wide Adoption Across End-use Industries

Embedded computing refers to a computer system that is part of a larger mechanical or electrical system designed to perform a dedicated function. Embedded systems are designed for specific control functions within embedded products and machines and operate under the direct control of an embedded program. Some key features of embedded systems include rugged construction, low power usage, real-time operating capabilities and compact size. Embedded devices are commonly found in industrial equipment, automobiles, consumer electronics, home appliances and medical devices to control electronic systems. Their key advantage is the ability to control electronic processes in a precise, flexible and cost-effective manner.

The global embedded computing market is estimated to be valued at US$ 112.45 Bn in 2024 and is expected to reach US$ 174.38 Bn by 2031, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5% from 2024 to 2031.

Wide adoption across industries such as industrial automation, transportation, healthcare, telecommunication and consumer electronics is fueling market growth. Embedded systems allow streamlining of electronic processes, reducing downtimes and operation costs for end-use industries. Key Takeaways Key players operating in the embedded computing market are Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), Inc., Advantech Co., Ltd., Avalue Technology Inc., Curtiss-Wright Corporation, Dell Technologies Inc., Emerson Electric Co., Fujitsu Limited, General Electric Company, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company, Honeywell International Inc., Intel Corporation, Kontron ST AG, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Rockwell Automation, Inc., and Texas Instruments Incorporated. The Embedded Computing Market Demand offers significant opportunities for system integrators and solution providers through new product development and capability expansion. Growing digitization trends across industry verticals will continue to generate strong demand for embedded systems with advanced computing and connectivity features. Leading embedded computing companies are focusing on global expansion strategies through partnerships, joint ventures and acquisitions to solidify their presence in emerging economies of Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa. These regions offer high growth potential driven by ongoing modernization of infrastructure and growing electronics manufacturing activities. Market Drivers Wide adoption across industrial automation applications is a key driver for the embedded computing market. Use of embedded systems allows streamlining of electronic processes, reducing downtimes and operation costs for industrial equipment manufacturers. Growing connectivity trends through Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) will further propel demand. Rising electronics content in automobiles is positively impacting the market. Advanced driver assistance systems, infotainment systems and vehicle networking require powerful embedded computing solutions. Strict fuel efficiency and vehicle emissions norms will accelerate integration of embedded computing hardware. Market Restrain Design complexity of developing embedded system on a chip (SoC) poses challenges, especially for integrating advanced Embedded Computing Companies capabilities with low power requirements. This increases new product development timelines and costs. Limited standardization across various embedded system platforms inhibits seamless interoperability, data exchange and application portability. This poses difficulties for globally distributed product development activities.

Segment Analysis Automotive industrial and transportation is dominating the embedded computing market due to increasing implementation of advanced driver-assistance systems, connected vehicles solutions, electric vehicles, and autonomous vehicles. According to recent surveys over 65% of all new light vehicles shipped will have features like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and blind spot monitoring by 2030. All these emerging technologies are driving the growth of embedded systems in automotive applications. Security and defense is another major sub segment in the embedded computing market owing to rising implementation of thermal weapon sights, combat management systems, imaging payloads and guidance systems in warships, aircraft carriers and fighter jets. Real-time information, enhanced situational awareness and integrated mission capabilities are some key priorities for embedded systems in defense applications. Various nations are also focusing on developing autonomous weapons which will further augment demand in coming years. Global Analysis North America dominates the global embedded computing market with a share of over 35% due to substantial research funding and presence of major OEMs in the region. US and Canada are hub for embedded technology development owing to advancement in networking infrastructure, IoT penetration and adoption of Industry 4.0 concepts. Asia Pacific shows fastest growth momentum led by China, India, Japan and South Korea. Low manufacturing cost and government initiatives to digitize industries are driving Asia Pacific market. Intensifying Sino-US trade war may impact supply chain dynamics in long run. Europe captures around 25% market share led by Germany, United Kingdom and France.

Get more insights on Embedded Computing Market

About Author:

Money Singh is a seasoned content writer with over four years of experience in the market research sector. Her expertise spans various industries, including food and beverages, biotechnology, chemical and materials, defense and aerospace, consumer goods, etc. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/money-singh-590844163)

[srqrobotic]

SRQ Robotics: Pioneering Advanced Embedded Systems and IoT Solutions

In an era where technology is rapidly evolving, SRQ Robotics emerges as a leader in Embedded Systems Development and IoT Technologies. Specializing in IoT solutions and algorithm development, SRQ Robotics is setting new benchmarks in the tech industry.

At the heart of SRQ Robotics' innovation lies a diverse range of microcontrollers, including ESP32, NRF52, Arduino, STM32, and PSoC6, forming the foundation of their state-of-the-art solutions. Their expertise extends to developing advanced IoT technologies with capabilities in wireless communication and seamless website & dashboard integrations, revolutionizing interconnected systems.

SRQ Robotics showcases exceptional skill in sensor technology and communication systems, utilizing a wide array of sensors such as IMUs, Accelerometers, Gyroscopes, BMS, Ultrasonic Sensors, ToF sensors, GPS, Encoders, Digital Pressure Sensors, and Temperature Sensors. Their proficiency in custom library development in Arduino, C++, C, and Python ensures efficient and harmonious system integration.

The company's excellence in WiFi, Bluetooth, and BLE systems is marked by custom data packet structures, emphasizing speedy and reliable communication. This meticulous attention to communication protocols underscores their commitment to performance and reliability in the realm of Embedded Systems and IoT Technologies.

SRQ Robotics' prowess in digital signal processing is evident in their implementation of advanced algorithms for signal refinement and data extraction. Their noise filtering algorithms guarantee the reliability and accuracy of their systems.

Offering end-to-end services, SRQ Robotics excels from electronic component selection and circuit schematic designing to PCB designing, prototyping, manufacturing, and rigorous testing and debugging. Their dedication to quality extends to precise firmware implementation, ensuring flawless project realization.

Their diverse project portfolio spans remote patient monitoring systems, innovative fitness trackers, smart agriculture management systems, advanced drone flight controllers, and industrial machine controller circuits. Each project reflects their holistic approach and commitment to excellence.

SRQ Robotics is not just an organization; it's a beacon of innovation in the tech world, redefining industry standards and leading the way in Embedded Systems and IoT Technologies.

For more details please visit: - https://www.srqrobotics.com/

Contact Info:

SRQ Robotics

Email:  info@srqrobotics.com

Phone No.: +1 (737) 710-1504

[bermondseysblog]

What Are the Challenges of Implementing Embedded Machine Learning?

Implementing Embedded Machine Learning presents unique challenges that Bermondsey Electronics Limited is actively addressing to revolutionize industries, especially in the realms of embedded firmware and software, as well as automotive embedded systems. At the heart of these challenges lies the task of integrating sophisticated machine learning algorithms into devices with limited computational power and memory. This not only requires optimizing algorithms for efficiency but also rethinking the architecture of embedded systems to accommodate the complexities of artificial intelligence.

Embedded firmware and software must be meticulously designed to support the demands of embedded machine learning, ensuring seamless operation within the constrained environments of IoT devices, wearables, and automotive systems. The need for real-time data processing and decision-making in these applications adds another layer of complexity, demanding high levels of reliability and performance from the embedded systems.

Moreover, the integration of embedded machine learning into automotive embedded systems introduces stringent requirements for safety and robustness. These systems must be capable of making accurate, real-time decisions in critical scenarios, necessitating rigorous testing and validation processes to meet industry standards and ensure the safety of users.

Bermondsey Electronics Limited is at the forefront of tackling these challenges, leveraging their expertise in embedded firmware and software to push the boundaries of what's possible with embedded machine learning. Through innovative solutions and cutting-edge research, they aim to unlock the full potential of this technology, driving advancements in IoT, wearables, and automotive industries. For more info visit us now!

[alexanderkorotynskiy]

We are a development partner for electronics, embedded software and applications

We are a Czech company with innovative thinking. We connect worlds of software and electronics. We manage projects to create high added value and to give our customers an edge over the competition. We like to approach our work systematically and we are convinced that order and correct system create half of success.

Our customers are both bigger and smaller companies.

Most of our customers do expect long term cooperation in development of electronic devices or software development. Some of our customers use only partial services such as PCB design or embedded software and apps development. We also provide electronics production for our partners.

We are convinced that mutual communication is the right basis for successful partnerships. That’s why we focus on proper communication between our team and customers.

[utopicwork]

Out of curiousity, how did you get into doing this sort of computer work? Especially more low level stuff. :]

How can other people get into it / what would you like to see people make in the future in this area?

- Aspiring Programmer

I was an extremely poor kid, in middle school I learned about piracy which led to me getting into FOSS software for media conversion so I could load a bunch of media onto my psp. A short time later I learned about cfw, custom firmware, for psps when I was trying to figure out how pirating games for the system worked, that led to my first hardware hacking, at the time you needed to make a "magic battery" in order to save money on hacking the system which luckily for me I was able to do with a busted battery. That was really my big start because it was so exciting to be a poor kid with access to tons of games and media all of a sudden. Since then I've been very interested in firmware work and embedded systems, though I definitely didnt know thats what it was at the time.

For getting into software/hardware hacking/programming in a similar way I'd seriously recommend getting a cheap SBC, something like a Raspberry Pi Zero or just a Raspberry Pi is a good place to start especially since there are tons of projects for those boards that you can hack on and tons of very useful programs like pi-hole which does DNS ad blocking.

As to what I'd like to see people do: more projects dealing with media on these kinds of systems, video djing, glitch art, etc, because usually you're limited to something like VLC for media.

[gqattech]

https://gqattech.com/compatibility-testing/

https://gqattech.com/firmware-testing/

[ottopilot-wrote-this]

Generational Trauma

Once more unto the breach of @subliminalbo's Romero Literary Universe. This story references characters from the Obedience by Fleur series. This is also a prequel to Backend Support, though both stories (hopefully) stand on their own.

Thanks again to my friend @subliminalbo (also at @subliminalboarchive) for the art trade and collaboration.

Bailey Castillo set the clippers on the sink counter and rubbed the base of her skull. She was a queer woman, it certainly wasn't her first time getting an undercut. But it was the first time she'd done it to herself.

It made her smirk to herself. Given the grim nature of what she had talked herself into, Bailey could use all the levity she could muster.

She had an undercut when she met Ed. It was a good metaphor, she thought. Under that big head of dark curls, there was an edge. Her fresh face and polite smile were a mask, disguising survival instincts and a pragmatism you could only get by growing up Black, asexual, and female in Romero, Washington.

Bailey rubbed the shaving gel in her wet fingers until it foamed up. Smelling of peaches, she rubbed it on her shaved hair. After rinsing her hands, she rinsed the razor's blade, new and sharp, in the cold water of the faucet.

It seemed a strange offer. What did a lingerie company need with an embedded systems designer? Software devs for e-commerce, sure. But she specialized in hardware, in writing firmware, in the arcane art of assembly code.

Beggars couldn't be choosers, though. Not beggars who had a degree from the local party school, because Mamá got a discount on tuition, and it was what they could afford. Certainly not beggars who would take the first offer they could get that would get them away from this cesspool. Bailey shaved her neck and the undercut area with smooth, careful strokes.

Her first mistake was trusting. Trusting that if she did a good job - and her control array for Obedience by Fleur was, objectively, goddamn genius - she'd be recognized for it.

Bailey rinsed the razor of shaving cream and tiny black hairs. Won't make that mistake again.

She had overestimated Ed King. She bought his Silicon Valley rep, and failed to see he wasn't any different from Romero's traditional power brokers. He was a carnival barker, not a visionary like he thought he was. She was a commodity to him, not a person. If Obedience failed, she would've taken the blame; but since it succeeded, he was more than happy to take all the credit.

Bailey rubbed the smooth wet skin on her neck, checking for missed spots. Elena wasn't any better. She got what she wanted from Bailey, and that made her disposable. It was a blessing, really. Bailey was a natural beauty, but her curvy hips and thighs meant she wasn't model thin, and it also meant she was back at her mother's house in Romero, and not mindlessly, dutifully, licking Elena's designer boots.

Toweling off her neck, Bailey shifted away from the sink toward the 3D printer. She triple-checked her work.

When she first read about needleless tattoos in Wired, at all just clicked into place. A silicon ink payload in dissolvable microneedles. Putting the Obedience tech inside the subject. Permanently. Forget the sensors, pair the array with a fitness tracker or smartwatch. An AI sidecar to increase subject safety. No more brain damage.

Stealing the base software from Ed King? Bailey had no qualms about stealing from a thief. But she needed stake money. It was surprisingly easy to talk the Chinese triads into financing her. But they wanted proof before they pumped more yuan into her operation.

The 3D printer hummed to life as it printed the dissolvable needles, loaded with silicon ink, onto the dermal patch. This was, of course, a fork, custom firmware modified from the base model. Unfortunately, you can't just print a tiny one of these and slap it on a lab rat.

And experimenting on an unwilling human subject… That was something they would do. Bailey wasn't a monster. Not yet.

The array was done. It was a rectangle about the size of deck of cards. The trick had been spacing, making sure the crudely printed lines wouldn't bleed or touch accidentally when applied. Bailey's array was, of course, unique. She'd created a hyperfocus routine that, when enabled, could drown out stimulation and increase cognitive ability temporarily. More importantly, the mind control protocols were blunted, and she wrote an additional protection against mesmerism: the ability to mentally control her hormone levels.

But at the end of the day, this was modified Obedience by Fleur firmware. Bailey knew there was an unknown period where she would have to take Obedience's best punch, enduring and outlasting it, before the AI sidecar would read her biofeedback and adjust the indoctrination protocols lower. She was prepared for it, with a physical anchor.

She took the black choker, her mother's, in her left hand. When Mamá died, shortly after Bailey came back to Romero with her tail between her legs, it was in her jewelry box.

Bailey didn't know how to reconcile that. Mamá never said anything. She didn't have to. When she left the house wearing this choker, all painted up when she should have been in bed, the vacant look told young Bailey everything. But to keep this in an intimate place, where she likely saw it every day - before the early-onset Alzheimer's rotted her from the inside out - what did that mean?

That she missed it?

Bailey gripped the choker tightly, feeling the satin in her delicate fingers. She couldn't guess what went through her mother's mind. Bailey only knew what it meant to her: anger. Abandonment issues. A keepsake of a life she would never, ever lead.

One last check. One last chance to bitch out.

Bailey sat upright in her work stool. She prepared the tattoo array patch, removing it from the printing tray. She looked again at the choker in her left hand, her anchor to reality. She took the patch, and affixed it to the base of her skull.

At first, there was a cold, wet feeling. Like ultrasound gel. And it itched, probably from the microneedles penetrating her skin. Bailey's research indicated there wouldn't be any pain from the actual absorption of the silicon ink into her dermis, just a slight delay.

Immediately, she realized she'd miscalculated.

Bailey had set the weights on the Obedience protocol to fifty percent. She barely had time to process that was too high before she was inundated with sensation. "Oh… Fuck," she moaned breathlessly. It was so hard to think from the pleasure. Warm and comforting, like a blanket. Like a hug, but not a hug from just anyone. From someone precious. From a lover.

Then she felt something new. A flicker, at first. Then a slow burning heat. Then an intense raging inferno, burning between her legs, deep inside her, in her very soul. Bailey instinctively put her hand there, but it was a huge mistake. Immediately she rubbed her engorged clit through her panties, wetness spreading through the dainty cotton fabric.

Lust? But I'm fucking ace, Bailey thought, before the first orgasm hit.

Wave after wave of euphoric gratification pounded her senses like a tempestuous ocean.

Shit! this is- Then another.

Tides of pleasure washed over her.

The choker. Have to- Another.

The powerful undertow eroded her reason and resistance.

Mamá, I-

The blissful sensations overwhelmed Bailey, preventing the formulation of new thoughts, until she just simply stopped trying.

And then she was under. Submerged. Sounds fading. The world oh, so far away.

She was better this way, she saw that. It was better to stop resisting, stop trying to think, and just accept it. As she enthusiastically fingered her soggy cunt, mouth open, her body rewarding her for her compliance, Bailey thought she heard something. It was her own voice, moaning and panting and… giggling. Being dumb, and sexy, and available - it made her happy?

When was the last time she could say that, that she was legitimately happy?

She understood. She could feel like this for the rest of her life, and she only had to do one thing. Let go. Let go of the past, let go of the trauma, let go of the hurt. Let go of herself. The fingers on Bailey's left hand loosened their grip. The choker threatened to fall to the floor. No, not fall. To sink. To sink and drop, deeper and deeper. Her mind was still. Vacant. Empty, except for one thing creeping into her consciousness.

No. Not today.

Bailey's fingers tightened. She could feel the smooth satin, once cold, now hot with her own emanating warmth. She thought of Mamá, looking more like a movie starlet than her tireless, caring mother. Bailey saw her walk out the door, not even turning back to her crying daughter. And she remembered her pledge, to Mamá, to herself: it ain't gonna be me. Not today. Not ever.

Bailey held the choker with a steel grip, as if her life depended on it. It did. The choker was a life preserver in the choppy ocean of arousal flooding her mind and body. She had no idea how anyone could take twice as much of this. It was no wonder Obedience's control was absolute and immediate.

Slowly, she felt it. The constant bombardment of pleasure losing its steam. Waters receding. Her thoughts forming more easily, coherently. Her breathing stabilizing, and the hot flush of her arousal lowering to a simmer. "Set dopamine levels to zero," she gasped. She didn't need to say the words out loud for it to work, but in her disheveled state she needed to hear it. To remind herself she was in control.

She looked in a nearby mirror. Her eyes were a milky solid white, all sclera, no pupils. Her body was flushed with desire. She looked every bit the fucktoy she despised. Bailey knew she was lucky. If she had looked into this mirror a few minutes ago, she would've been lost.

Her hormone levels stabilizing, Bailey blinked, and her eyes returned to an intense chestnut brown. She was still in shock from the ordeal. She opened her palm and looked at the choker, and she placed it on her workbench. Slowly, she took her cell phone in her right hand and sent a message.

"Live test successful. Production is GO."

-------------------

The dream again. The same one. Fuck, I hate this, Bailey thought. And turning off the dopamine wasn't helping.

Bailey got out of bed and turned on a bedside lamp. She drowsily stood up, stumbled to the kitchen for a drink of cold water. It was a hot July night, so she was only wearing panties. Which, of course, were soaked through. Again.

On her back to bed, she stopped at her nightstand. She looked at herself in the vanity mirror. Running a prostitution empire based on mind control hadn't been kind to her, she thought.

Bailey wasn't sure what possessed her. But she reached into her top drawer, and retrieved Rosa's - Mamá's - choker. She hadn't looked at it since she turned on the Obedience array. She'd been too afraid. But here, in the dark, she fastened the choker around her neck. She activated her hormonal controls and raised them - not too much - to maybe 120% of normal. And she looked in the mirror.

Her eyes clouded over until the pupils were gone again, just solid white spheres. Like two blank canvases. She let her mind dull - again, not too much. Just enough to let her thoughts drift. Her full lips parted, on their own, as she watched with interest and arousal. She had always been beautiful, but now? She was a bombshell. All tits and ass and thighs, with a pretty fuckable face. She didn't have a sexual bone in her 29-year-old body, but she would fuck this braindead slut in the mirror.

Bailey's mind cleared as she regained control. She again dampened her pleasure center, and her eyes returned to normal. She took the choker off, and put it back, reverently, in her dresser drawer.

She now understood why Mamá had kept it.